The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament made one of their largest donations to date this week to the Carteret County Domestic Violence Program (CCDVP). Big Rock president Dale Britt and other board members presented a check for two-hundred thousand dollars to the Carteret County Domestic Violence Program.

“We here at the Big Rock are humbled to help provide a safe harbor for many desperate individuals and their children who are victims of domestic violence in our county,” explained Britt.

Statistics prove one out of 35 homes were involved in a domestic dispute is Carteret County in 2017. The capital campaign in conjunction with the CCDVP is now underway to build a new shelter and family empowerment program, known as SAFE.

The capital campaign committee chair, Robin Parker said, “we cannot thank the Big Rock enough because this is the first roll out of the program.” Parker also says the current shelter continues to deteriorate beyond repair.

The capital campaign hopes to raise 1.5 million dollars for a five-thousand square foot home to provide living quarters for victims in need of crisis assistance. Domestic violence is on the rise in our community. In 2017, over 1900 services were provided to domestic violence victims and and their children in the county.

“I would challenge you to think, because domestic violence hits much closer to home than a lot of people imagine,” Parker explains.

The motto for the Big Rock is “charity first.” Big Rock board member Tommy Bennett also serves as the treasurer for the capital campaign committee. He says, “as we approach our 60th anniversary it is hard to believe in 1984 we didn't have enough money to buy t-shirts. Now we have the chance to continue to impact the lives of people in our community.”

For more information on the SAFE campaign or to make a donation visit thesafecampaign.com